Best non Nikon 400mm to 600mm lens?

[shutterfinger]

What are the best 400 mm to 600 mm AF lens for Nikon D cameras other than Nikon Nikkor?
f5.5 to f8 are OK as they will fit my budget.

 

[mshchem]

What are the best 400 mm to 600 mm AF lens for Nikon D cameras other than Nikon Nikkor?
f5.5 to f8 are OK as they will fit my budget.

300mm f4 with a 1.4x tc.

 

[Paul Howell]

Sigma and Tonkia made 400 5.6 that are inexpensive, I have the Tonkia, maybe not the sharpest 400 ever made but well enough on my Sony's. I also have a Sigma safari green that only works on my film Minolta 9000 in AF mode, but works well enough manual focus with my Sonys . In 600, the only lens in my price range is the Sigma non AF 600 F8, a pain to use as it is close focus and has a long reach a lot of travel when focusing.

 

[faberryman]

Spiratone?

 

[shutterfinger]

300mm f4 with a 1.4x tc.

Well........... I bought a 300mm f4.5 AIS and stuck a TC201 behind it on a D300 body and this is what I got:

Thanks to those that replied.

 

[mshchem]

Nice!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Can't argue with that.

 

[shutterfinger]

ISO 400; 1/600 shutter speed; -1.7 stop exposure compensation in camera, probably f11 on the lens.

 

[shutterfinger]

This poor Snowy Egret had a bad feather day.

D300, 300mm f4.5 AIS at f11, TC201, Bogen 3216 monopod, 1/2000 with a -1.7 exposure compensation at ISO 400.